Setting aside the specifics of this particular publisher (Valleywag) and their criticisms of Thiel, it's very disturbing that someone with deep pockets can work to secretly take out critical media like this.
Funding a valid, founded lawsuit against an entity they don't like is pretty far down the list of disturbing things for them to do with their money. This isn't even as bad as buying up patents and trolling companies for settlements which happens all the time.